Burundi’s President Ndayishimiye Appointed as African Union Special Envoy for Sahel Region

The Chairman of the African Union (AU), H.E. João Lourenço, has appointed President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi as the AU Special Envoy for the Sahel region, the announcement made on July 17 in Luanda, Angola.

In a post on X, President Ndayishimiye stated:

It is with humility and responsibility that I accept the noble mission entrusted to me by H.E. @jlprdeangola, President of the @_AfricanUnion, as Special Envoy for the Sahel region. I reiterate my commitment to peace, in collaboration with my peers in this region.”

President Ndayishimiye is also the African Union Champion for Youth, Peace and Security and brings extensive political experience and a reputation for Pan-African commitment.

His new role will involve leading high-level diplomatic engagement and coordinating collaborative efforts to address persistent challenges in the Sahel, including terrorism, armed conflicts, and fragile governance.

This development follows the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the formation of a new alliance, the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS).

The three countries cited a need for regional self-determination and resistance to foreign interference, particularly from France and other external powers.

The AU’s appointment of a Special Envoy at this time signals a proactive response to the Sahel’s evolving geopolitical landscape and an effort to unify continental approaches to peacebuilding, rather than leaving the region fragmented by competing alliances.

According to the AU press release, the Special Envoy’s mandate includes fostering inclusive dialogue, building consensus, and promoting strategies for sustainable peace.

The Chairperson of the African Union expressed full confidence in President Ndayishimiye’s ability to navigate the continent’s complex dynamics and advance the Union’s peace agenda.

The African Union has called on the AU Commission, the AU Mission in the Sahel (MISAHEL), stakeholders, and the international community to support Ndayishimiye in his new role, which is expected to begin immediately.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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